proprietary software
nounUK /prəˈpraɪ.ə.tər.i ˈsɒft.weər/
US /prəˈpraɪ.ə.ter.i ˈsɔːft.wer/
Software that belongs to a company, so you must follow their rules to use it.
Microsoft Windows is proprietary software that you usually have to buy.
OTHER MEANINGS
2. Software whose source code is kept secret and cannot be changed by users.
Because it is proprietary software, we cannot modify the code ourselves.
3. Software sold under a paid license rather than given away freely.
The school switched from proprietary software to free alternatives to save money.
4. Software owned by a single company that controls how it is distributed and used.
The app is proprietary software, so only the company can release updates.